CELESTINE's P O V‘‘Sir Arnold!’’ Jason just stepped out of the room, and when Arnold turned to look at him, I quickly took advantage of the opportunity to get away from him and out of the building. I immediately flagged down a taxi and left.‘‘To the funeral parlor, please…’’ I told the driver and he nodded, driving away from the police station.I looked out the window, and I didn’t realize that I was already crying, my tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, blurring my vision.My mind was filled with Uncle Karl’s words before he passed away. It was so painful to consider the fact that he left me after assuring me that he would always be there for me all the time.What was the point of making that promise if he’d just going to break it now?! Why did you leave me just like what my mom did? He said, he would visit me at the villa every time he misses me. How can he do that now that he’s gone?Uncle Karl...The lump in my throat was getting bigger and I choked, sobbing in my hands.
CELESTINE’s P O V‘‘No, you did not…’’ Arnold stated while he was squeezing me in a bear embrace. ‘‘You didn’t kill him, Celestine. Please, don't act like this... Do you think that your uncle would be pleased if he saw you behaving in such a manner?’’I shook my head.‘‘Right…’’ he murmured, planting a kiss on the top of my head. ‘‘Let's go home…’’When we got back to the Maxwell villa, I disregarded every servant who welcomed me as I walked upstairs, and Arnold followed closely behind me as I went straight to the room.I couldn't help but scowl when I noticed the ashtray on the table was crammed full of spent cigarette cartridges. In addition to this, the space was permeated with the pungent odor of cigarette smoke.I ignored it and proceeded directly to the bathroom to clean up myself. After I had finished everything that needed to be done, I exited the room and noticed that the windows had already been opened, allowing fresh air to enter the space.I paid no attention to Arnold as
CELESTINE's P O VThe brisk wind that was blowing in from the outside through the window was what roused me from my sleep. Last night, I completely forgot to draw the curtains in.I hurriedly got up and then took a quick shower. Arnold informed me yesterday that Uncle Karl's body would be laid to rest today, so I have to go at the cemetery bright and early.On the other hand, as soon as I stepped downstairs, I was taken aback by the fact that Arnold had already been up even earlier than I had been. Or perhaps, he didn't sleep at all. I couldn't figure it out.But the fact that he was wearing the exact same clothing that he had worn the night before, the black bags under his eyes that were significantly deeper than usual, and that he appeared to be quite fatigued was proof enough for me that he didn't get even a wink of sleep.‘‘Celestine…’’ he called out in a gentle tone but I ignored him and walked straight toward the door. ‘‘I’ll accompany you…’’‘‘No…’’ I refused indifferently. He
CELESTINE’s P O V‘‘I'm tired…’’ While I was leaning against the window of the taxi, and muttering to myself, my voice was filled with the exhaustion of an endless cycle.‘‘Hey Miss… are you that exhausted at such a young age?’’ the driver suddenly spoke.‘‘It’s very tiring to be alive…’’ I mumbled while keeping my eyes shut.‘‘Yes, life is exhausting in every sense of the word...’’ he stated. ‘‘Dealing with other people and participating in social activities both demand money if you want to continue doing them. There is no comfort for the living, and is only for the dead. As long as they are still alive, the living will continue to feel exhausted…’’The driver appeared to be overcome with emotion while he was speaking, but I did not utter a single word in response.After ten minutes, I signaled the driver to pull over at a convenience store, where I shopped for a few items before climbing back into the vehicle. The driver then continued driving until I arrived at the Wheeler mansion.
CELESTINE’s P O V‘‘W-what are you talking about?’’ my father stammered, and I could make out the expression of remorse in his eyes as they grew wider.I couldn't help but give my lip a good hard bite in an effort to ease the pain I was feeling.‘‘Hey! You still didn’t answer my question, bitch!’’ he yelled and I stepped back, until I felt the edge of the sofa hit the back of my knee. ‘‘Were you the one who posted the video?’’I laughed, throwing my head back before putting the button back inside my pocket, my hand remained within. ‘‘Aren't you supposed to be thankful?’’ I asked. ‘‘I'm afraid that if it weren't for me, you still wouldn't be able to see her for who and what she really is to this day...’’‘‘Celestine!’’ upon hearing what I had said, Ada fumed with rage. She was about to rush over and strike me again but my hand instantly reached out for the vase next to me and smashed it into pieces in front of her.I picked up a small piece with a sharp end of the broken vase and held
CELESTINE’s P O VI ran out of the house as quickly as I could as the fire quickly spread through the house, and I listened to their screams as I did so. As I was leaving the house, tears continued to roll down my cheeks, but my knees were getting weaker, and the fire was so close to me that I could feel the blazing heat on my back and on my right leg.I lost my balance and fell to the ground, but someone caught me and held me in their arms before I was completely knocked out of consciousness.‘‘Celestine…’’ It was Arnold. It was always him who came to my rescue in the time of need. ‘‘Please hold on!’’He lifted me onto his shoulders and hurriedly transported me to the ambulance that was already on the scene. In addition, I was able to hear the alarm of a fire trucks approaching from a greater distance.‘‘Celestine…’’ Arnold appeared to be experiencing a great deal of anxiety, and the hands that were holding me were trembling furiously.I gently opened my eyes, and everything that was
CELESTINE's P O VA YEAR LATER‘‘Are you enjoying the flowers?’’ Arnold inquired as he wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and began to cover me in it.‘‘Please… I'm not cold!’’ I whimpered, but he responded by encircling me in his arms and planting a kiss on the crown of my head.‘‘I'm scared that you'll feel cold…’’ he whispered into me, not letting me go even though I was struggling from his hold around me.‘‘I'm not quite that feeble!’’ I snapped, reaching for my crutch stick, but Arnold stopped me by grabbing my hand.‘‘Where are you going?’’‘‘I'm hungry!’’ I exclaimed as I shoved him aside, but to my astonishment, he bent over, and picked me up, carrying me bridal style. ‘‘Arnold!’’ I shrieked, but I didn't make any attempt to fight back.I smiled to myself as I pressed my cheek against his chest, and listened to the rhythm of his heart. I couldn't help but think back to the day that I made up my mind that I was going to die in the Wheeler mansion with the other three people,
ARNOLD's P O VThe moment I got a taste of her sweet and soft lips, I was hit with a wave of longing. Unconsciously, I tightened my arms and pulled her delicate body closer to my firm chest.I took a few slow, deep breaths and focused on bringing my heart rate down. I disengaged my grip on her and pushed back, propping myself up slightly while fixing my eyes on her as she continued to breathe heavily underneath me.Her lips were a little bit red, and she was biting the inside of her lower lip as she stared back at me, trying to read me.Slowly, I opened her shirt one button at a time with my trembling hands, and peeled it off of her beautiful shoulders.She swallowed while I admired her body, and I could sense her insecurity from the way she avoided my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Perhaps, it was because of the minor burn that already had left a scar on her skin. I was perplexed as to why she was experiencing such emotions.She shouldn’t feel insecure about her body because for me
JULIAN’s P O VAunt Olivia insisted that Cynthia must first complete her education, and give birth to our child before she allowed us to get married. And I felt worried about Cynthia because I was aware that she was waiting for this moment. Even though she wasn’t voicing it out, I could sense that she was expecting me to propose to her, for us to build our own family, but Auntie asked me not to let Cynthia know about our agreement.After seven months, Cynthia gave birth to a healthy baby boy who she gave the name Mark Julian. And while I was occupied with the expansion of the business that Arnold had requested me to handle, Cynthia continued her studies.Finally, Cynthia graduated and I’ve never been so proud of her. I believed that as a result of all of the things she went through, she got more matured. She never complained about the fact that I did not offer her marriage.When it was time for Cynthia to get her graduation present from me---it’s not exactly a graduation present, but
CYNTHIA's P O VAt this moment, tears were beginning to run down my face. I couldn’t keep them at bay. Now that it was almost certain that I’m losing this baby.I may not know a lot about pregnancy, but I knew that bleeding was a bad sign.As soon as we entered the emergency room, an array of questions and answers ensued, and I answered them to the best of my ability, while my parents and Julian were listening attentively. Julian refused to let go of my hand even when I was wheeled back toward a room and directed to strip for an ultrasound.The nurse stopped Julian when he was about to enter the changing room, insisting that he wanted to help me change into a hospital gown. ‘‘I can help her, Sir. Just stay with her parents outside…’’Julian did not immediately follow the nurse after initially hesitating, but he did so eventually. Soon after, he began to loosen his grip on my hand before leaving completely.My parents sat in a chair along the far right wall, and Julian stood a few feet
CYNTHIA's P O VTWO MONTHS LATERI groaned as I sat up in bed and stretched my arms. A quick look at the clock that was sitting on my nightstand revealed to me that nightfall would arrive sooner. How long have I been dozing off?These past few days, my normal pattern of sleeping has been thrown off. Simply put, I was mentally and emotionally exhausted to the point where I lost track of time because of it. Even though my parents, Arnold, and Celestine regularly checked on me every once in a while, one of the harmful things I'd been doing was spending most of my time alone in my room. This was another habit I'd gotten into.They have been monitoring the media, calling people and giving them orders, as well as discussing the situation with the authorities. They would act wary every time I descended the stairs, as if they didn't want me to hear about those fucked up news again.I never heard from Julian again after that day. I was aware that his wedding took place last month, but none of
CYNTHIA's P O VNothing could have prepared me for the crushing agony I experienced when my mom told me that Julian had departed without even alerting me, or even bidding farewell to me before he flew back to France. Nor could anything have prepared me for the profound sense of loss that caused my heart to tighten, leading me to believe that it was going to cease beating altogether.Even though I was aware, on some level, that he was meant to return and marry her, the fact that he did still hurt. How could he? How, after making love to me? After I had already given him everything? After stroking my hair until I fell asleep? After spending so much time gazing at me with that breathtaking smile? How could he love her and marry her still?There was a painful lump that was lodged in my throat, and it was making it difficult for me to even breathe. In addition to this, I had to fight against my tear ducts in order to keep from crying in front of my family because of him. In total honesty,
CYNTHIA's P O VThe moment the door to the Maxwell villa opened, I was met with a resounding slap across the face from my irate mother.‘‘Aunt Olivia…’’ When she raised her hand to slap me again, Julian attempted to stop her, but she instead hit Julian which caused my eyes to widen in shock.‘‘Don't address me like that, you have no connection to any of us anymore!’’ she said through gritted teeth, a threatening tone was used as she glared at him.It appeared as though everything around me had come to a stop. I blinked back the tears that was on the verge of falling down my cheek. ‘‘Mom…’’Did Arnold tell her about us?‘‘What are your intentions with regard to my daughter?’’ She asked Julian while completely ignoring me. ‘‘Do you intend to take him as your mistress?’’‘‘No, I…’’‘‘There is no future for the two of you, and even if you leave the woman who will soon become your wife, I won't let you have my daughter!’’ And she smacked his face once more, which prompted me to push her aw
CYNTHIA’s P O VJulian grabbed the shower head, turning on the water. He pointed it at me and he made sure to let it pour all over my body, until every inch of me was soaked. ‘‘I’ll take it that it will make you behave…’’‘‘Uhmmm…’’ I agreed mindlessly, not really listening to a single word he uttered, for I was too busy gawking at his dripping wet physique. I could feel my lids becoming heavy, my veins burning under my skin as pure sexual desire course through them.Unwittingly, without even noticing it, I kneeled in front of him, coming face to face with his semi-hard shaft, but before I could even touch it, he grabbed my shoulders firmly. ‘‘Get up before I fuck you again…’’‘‘But I want you to fuck me again…’’ I protested with a pout, still resting on my knees.He chuckled amusedly, lightly shaking his head. ‘‘Come on, Cynthia, we’ve got to go…’’But I didn’t listen, I remained still.Julian decided to bring his arm under my armpits and pick me up against my will, laying small kiss
CYNTHIA’s P O V‘‘Do you think that somebody was listening to us?’’ I inquired anxiously as fear began to course through my veins.Julian gave a dismissive shake of his head before rising to his feet and reaching for the bathrobe that was still hanging on the door of the bathroom. ‘‘No, the rooms are soundproofed. You stay here...’’ he covered himself and left the room.But I couldn’t mind my business in a situation like this. I rolled out of bed and took a fluffy bath towel, wrapping it around my body before following him towards the living area.From the other side of the slightly open door, I could hear a feminine voice. ‘‘Uhmm, Hi… I mean, good morning. I was wondering if you saw Cynthia---’’I rudely pushed Julian out of the way and came face to face with Stef, who let out a sigh of relief upon seeing me.‘‘Oh, Cynthia… I was worried about you!’’I smiled at her and placed a kiss on her cheek. ‘‘Well, as you can see, I’m good…’’ I then stepped closer to her so that she would be a
CYNTHIA’s P O VI completely let myself go, carelessly giving up on trying to hold myself up and completely leaning against his tall, manly frame. ‘‘Oh, fuck…’’ I moaned as I gripped his hair and pulled on it, moving his head and craning my neck so that our lips would touch. I immediately opened my mouth, allowing his tongue to slip inside.Julian added a second finger into my tight canal, starting to thrust harder. ‘‘You’re such a sexy little thing, aren’t you...?’’ he pulled his hand away and brought his fingers which were coated in my juices, to his mouth, sucking them clean before he picked me up and walked back to the bedroom, letting me fall onto the bed, and then followed me immediately.I pushed him down onto the sheets and got on top of him, hovering over his rock hard member. ‘‘Do you want me…?’’ I inquired in a hushed tone as I took both of his hands in mine and placed them on my waist.He nodded with his mouth agape, looking up at me with full of desire and appreciation.‘
JULIAN’s P O VThere was something unbelievably intimate about waking up next to someone, especially when that someone was the one you love.Strips of golden sunlight shone into the room and Cynthia managed to wrap herself around most of my thin sheets.I woke up with my arm lay across her stomach and her head was tucked into my bare chest. We hadn’t bothered dressing ourselves after last night’s events, as we had already seen every inch of each other.Also we were exhausted, that we had drifted to sleep after another heated kiss.Cynthia stirred slightly, which brought me back from recalling what brought us here, and buried her head further into my chest while placing a hand onto my torso.But all of this felt so wrong, since everyone around see us as cousins, and in addition to that, I am already getting married.But then, why did last night feel so right? And why did her touch alone light my body on fire?I knew that my old self would think otherwise, but Cynthia and I couldn’t hap